Yevhen Maylshev: 19-yr-old Ukrainian biathlete dies after taking up arms to defend country
As Russia's bloody war on Ukraine entered its seventh day, around 136 civilians have lost their lives. Given the sudden influx of fighters, a death toll for Ukraine's military has not yet been established, but as of March 3, 2022, we can confirm the death of one fighter - 19-year-old former biathlete Yevhen Maylshev. The teen was killed in "combat operations" the Ukrainian Biathlon Federation confirmed.
Both Russia and Ukraine have so far refused to provide an exact count of casualties due to the war, but at least on the Russian side, hundreds of troops are believed to have been killed. Tragically, at least 15 children have so far been killed as well, including 4th-grade student Polina, who was gunned down with her parents while attempting to flee Kyiv. The war has quickly led to a humanitarian crisis in Europe, last seen during World War 2.
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While Ukraine's neighbors rush to welcome the refugees and provide defensive aid to the nation, the bloody and brutal battle continues across key cities like Kharkiv and Kyiv. Ukraine has also been bolstered by hundreds of foreign nations, rushing to join the fight under the nation's Foreign Legion, despite death being a very real possibility.
Who was Yevhen Maylshev?
The 19-year-old biathlete reportedly represented both the Kharkiv junior team and Ukraine briefly, before calling time on his career two years ago. While the Athletes of Ukraine and Global Athlete did confirm his death in a joint statement, they did not clarify where he was serving at the time of his death. Social media posts claim he was killed in the defense of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. Little else is known about Maylshev, who has remained largely out of the media until the news of his death.
Maylshev is just one of the many former athletes who have joined the defense of their nation. Ukrainian tennis star Sergiy Stakhovsky confirmed days ago he will join Ukraine's army. Kyiv's Mayor, Vitali Klitschko is a former Hall of Fame boxer who is also fighting in the streets, along with his brother Wladimir Klitschko, who is also a boxer. Others who have joined the war include reigning world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, Olympic gold medallist Vasiliy Lomachenko, and 2019 world pursuit champion Dmytro Pidruchnyi.
"Yesterday, 19-year-old Ukrainian biathlete Yevhen Malyshev was killed in combat in Ukraine, defending his country against Russia's attack," the two groups said, adding, "How many more lives need to be lost before sport implements meaningful sanctions?" The statement appeared to be more targeted towards the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC), which have so far done little in response to Russia's war.
"The IPC and sport cannot stop the violence, but they could have sent a message that Russian and Belarusian's action warrant the toughest sanctions and complete isolation," they added. Right now, the IOC and IPC are forcing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under a neutral flag, while Ukraine has called for them to be banned altogether. Soccer's governing international body, FIFA, has banned Russia from all competitions, including the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
However, it appears the IOC is not willing to go so far. "Both the IOC and IPC continue to choose politics over principle and Russian interests over athletes' interest," the statement said and added, "Make no mistake, sport is politics."